ACTS EIGHTEEN
Salamah and five other colleages are also signing out, after that they all find a place to sit but not far from hazeemah’s spot.
Reem: you are welcome (also find a place to sit)
Hazeemah: (stay quiet and focus on her phone)
m.k and Khalid were heading towards the exit door as they were sighted, everyone gets on their feet.
Khalid: awww, I love Niger rain!
M.k: same here bro!
Suddenly everyone glance at them seeing them getting along in few days of knowing eachother.
Khalid: should we get inside it?
m.k: uhmm no! I wouldn’t advise that.. this is what they call weather for…
Khalid: (complete the sentence) for two! (burst into laughter togheter)
Hazeemah: (stomach still grumbling) awww.
Khalid: let’s have a sit then
m.k: yeah man! (they get seated next to eachother and stares at Hazeemah, noticing her rubbing her stomach) A.Z!
Hazeemah: yes sir (hurriedly get on her feet)
m.k: I’m starving, here (stretch out his credit card) go to the nearest restaurant and get me and my friend pizza with any soft drinks, healthy drinks.
Hazeemah: (scan him for few seconds)
Salamah: are you deaf or something? Did you heard what he said?
m.k: hey! I wasn’t talking to you!
salamah: I’m sorry sir, I was just looking out for you.
m.k: do you want to be my personal assistant? Or lets say can you? because if you can I’m sure you wont last a day.
(everyone chuckles)
Salamah: but I was only…
m.k: the next time you put mouth in what doesn’t concern you, I will put you in a position that you will never speak even when you are asked to.
Salamah: (embarrassed) so sorry.
m.k: back to you. take this car and do as I instructed.
Hazeemah: (think for a while and take the credit card, she opens her phone and began to type)
Khalid and Reem : (focus on her and smile)
m.k: why are you still standing there? (suddenly his phone pop up, he open it and read the message)
from A.Z: “ I am so sorry to say this sir, firstly, as you can see, rain is falling heavily. Secondly, it has passed closing hour and I cant attend to your needs again. I am hungry and starving as well. If the rain isn’t there. None of us will still be here sir. you have a car but I don’t. and I cant wet myself because I want to please you. I am sorry once again”.
m.k: (looks up in disbelief) did you just!... (speechless)
Khalid: take it easy man.. you need to take it easy, even if she is a slave you cant send her on an errand under the heavy rain.
m.k: I was only trying to test her and she failed.
Hazeemah: (tiredly look away and return to her sit)
Reem: (chuckles silently)
Khalid: (smile at her) Hajia.. what is your name?
Hazeemah: (heart skips) ssir? (stammering) uhmm my my name is… (thinking) A.Z sir.
Khalid: (confused) Azeez or something? Or like azeezah?
Hazeemah: yyes sir.
m.k: (interrupt) interesting… Azeezah indeed.
Khalid: (thinking) but your voice looks familier like I have listen to it several times but I just cant.
Hazeemah: (suddenly get on her feet) good night sir (she pick a race out of the company leaving everyone wondering what just happened).
Khalid: Azeezah!!! (confused) did I say something wrong?
m.k: (trying to understand what just happened) did you two know eachother? Maybe somewhere?
Khalid: I don’t think so, I just think her voice sound familiar that’s all.
m.k: hmmmmmm (get on his feet) the rain have subside, we should probably get going.
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FEW DAYS AFTER (SATURDAY)
Hazeemah: (in her room resting) hmmmm. Feels like Monday should never come. (chuckles) I cant believe I’m the one saying this.. how funny of me.. I just cant wait till his sister is back, she seems a bit nicer and humble than him. This is why you should never raise a child in abroad. (sigh heavily) what if Khalid recognizes me one day, what is going to happen that day? yell at me or never want to see me again. and the embarrassement I do receive from the spoilt brat is enough for him to do the same the moment he finds out. One of my mind want him to return to his country and my other mind doesn’t want him to leave. I know he came here for business purposes but… uhhhhh! I’m so confuse right now (suddenly heard a knock at the door) yes come in.
Alhaji nurudeen: (enters her room with a bone face) are you sleeping?
Hazeemah: (hurriedly get seated on the bed) no sir.
Alhaji nurudeen: (sit at the tip of the bed, finding it difficult to start the conversation)
Hazeemah: how was business today?
Alhaji nurudeen: alhamdulilah and yours?
Hazeemah: alhamdulilah too. (lower her gaze as their eyes keep meeting)
Alhaji nurudeen: (clear his throat) I’m gonna go straight to the point okay? your mother told me about Khalid.
Hazeemah: (raise her head up in surprise) sir?
Alhaji nurudeen: yes, so tell me, have you introduce yourself to him? And which day is he driving you come home so we can see him?
Hazeemah: (lost in thought) that was unexpected. I was expecting something more like consoling and assuring that he wont rush me and this is what he has to say? Why is mum like this? why now? Must she tell him everything?
Alhaji nurudeen: I know you are embarrassed to reveal your identity to him but we can help you, right my dear? Hazeemah!! (tap her) what are you thinking?
Hazeemah: (snap back to reality) sir!! oh! I’m sorry… I was just …. I mean I don’t know what to say.
Alhaji nurudeen: just do as I say and everything will go as plan okay?
Hazeemah: (fake smile) yes sir.
Alhaji nurudeen: that’s my princess.. although you are suppose to be someone’s queen already but very soon okay? and I bought lunch for you, follow me to get yours before your mother eats everything.
Hazeemah: (lost in thought again) what am I going to do now?
Alhaji nurudeen: (get up to leave) are you coming or not? Hazeemah!!
Hazeemah: sir! I’m coming.
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MONDAY MORNING (8:23AM)
AT M &S COMPANY
It early in the morning, everyone move to their various activities. Hazeemah hurriedly set the office before the arrival of m.k. she set the shelves and documents when he suddenly barge into the office. She greeted him but he failed to respond and get seated while Hazeemah said no words and focus on her arrangement. After rounding up with it. she present all the files and documents he need to looks into. Then head to the cafeteria to prepare his morning coffee. In a blink of an eye she return to his office with a tray and gently drop his coffee little snacks next it.
m.k: (staring at how she does everything)
Hazeemah: (pays no attention to him as she get busy with her duty, she head out again and return with some handkerchiefs and tissues on his table) all done sir.
m.k: trying to impress me or what? (notice his her pick khimar and grey suite jacket) answer me.
Hazeemah: no sir, because I know you can never be impressed.
m.k: whatever! have you submitted those file to the architecture team?
Hazeemah: yes sir (step backwards and stand by the door) do you need anything else before I return to my desk.
m.k: yeah! That reminds me. why did you ran away from on Friday like that? Did you know Khalid from somewhere?
Hazeemah: no sir. I only got the opportunity to know him through this company, nothing else.
m.k: then why did you ran away like Cindarella?
Hazeemah: nothing sir.
m.k: you will confess!! Secondly, you refused to go on an errand for me uh? Now take the credit card, and bring my breakfast.
Hazeemah: (sigh heavily and takes it) okay sir. please excuse me (she takes her leave)
m.k: (rolling the chair and thinking) she is just unpredictable… I thought she was going to refuse again.. awww God! She is driving me nut!.
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